Mike McDaniel addresses shocking Dolphins turnaround after blowout win over Jets

Largely out of nowhere, a Miami Dolphins side that began November at 2-7 on the season has become one of the hottest teams in the NFL ahead of Christmas. 

Shortly after the Dolphins improved to 6-7 via a dominant 34-10 win at the New York Jets (3-10) on Sunday, Miami head coach Mike McDaniel spoke about his club's unexpected turnaround.

Dolphins have "special connection" amid hot streak

"I really love this team because they made the choice, the hard choice, to not only believe in themselves but put in the work even though they’ve been working very hard and not getting the results, and then you’re sitting there at 1-6 or 2-7," McDaniel said, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "So, yeah, there’s a special connection within the locker room, and that’s because, quite literally, they didn’t need anyone to, but they were well aware that they were the only people that really believed in themselves." 

Some understandably assumed that Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was planning to embrace a franchise reset this winter after the club and general manager Chris Grier "mutually" agreed to part ways on Oct. 31. Miami hasn't lost since that decision was made, and the Dolphins are now part of a congested playoff picture.

As of Monday morning, the ESPN Football Power Index gave the Dolphins only a 0.3 percent chance to make the playoffs. McDaniel seemed uninterested in discussing such odds on Sunday. 

"They choose to not listen, and there is a different level of buy-in, but also a different level of pride for the Dolphins logo and what we’re fighting for," McDaniel added. "So, it was great to watch them go out there and play inspired football."

Jaylen Wright flourished after De'Von Achane went down

The Dolphins turned to second-year running back Jaylen Wright after starter De'Von Achane suffered a rib injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game. Against the Jets, Wright posted career bests of 107 rushing yards and 24 carries.

"My favorite part of coaching guys isn't when everything is going well," McDaniel added, per Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. "Jaylen had expectations going into the season, and it didn't start off totally the way I think he pictured it, but what did he do through that? He focused on finding ways to contribute in any way -- whether that be special teams or getting reps not only on the live action units, but also as the [scout] team. You really find out about people when things don't go their way. So, to see him flourish, that's what we're counting on as a team, that's what I was counting on, and that's why all the guys really got excited for him to get his first hundred-yard game."

The Dolphins next travel to the 7-6 Pittsburgh Steelers for a "Monday Night Football" matchup on Dec. 15. As of Monday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had Miami as a three-point underdog for that game.